It's always fun and a challenge to try and figure out some 'usually' common
bird based on a novice's verbal description. In this case the person
isn't a complete novice and I am fresh out of ideas and at a complete loss at
the moment. There are photos but I haven't seen them yet although anything
no matter how bad as they are expected to be might still be just enough and
reveal the obvious missing clues and I hope to see them eventually.

The topic came up over breakfast at Lowell's at the Pike Place Market this
morning with a friend visiting from San Diego. The bird, birds actually,
5 of them, were seen in Victoria on Vancouver Island yesterday or the day
before and yard birds at the home of where she was visiting. Most striking
features were the yellow terminal tail band and a definite crest. Ah Ha!
Cedar Waxwing of course! ...or maybe even a Bohemian. Nope. The bird
was robin-sized, 9" or so, with an orange breast, blue back, and a darker
head with the already mentioned striking crest. Well, maybe they were just
American Robins. Nope; everyone knows a Robin but I'm not 100% convinced
that they weren't. Varied Thrush? Nope. Dark-eyed Junco, Spotted Towhee,
Steller's Jay? Nope, apparently not. The mystery bird was also
fly-catching, perching atop a tall evergreen and quickly flying out, snapping up
insects and flying back to the same perch. Flycatcher of some kind? Nothing
particular about the bill size or shape were noted. Also, the bird regularly
made single loud "chirps" which brings American Robin to mind again, and
since there were apparently FIVE of them, that's a little easier to swallow.
But if so, what would account for the most notable features mentioned
leaping to the forefront first in the verbal description like the YELLOW
TERMINAL TAIL BAND and a CREST?

Apparently the owner and resident of the property in Victoria and fairly
familiar with the local avifauna was sufficiently startled and curious to
exclaim "What's that?!?" when they were first seen. Some anomaly of lighting
which might turn an ordinary American Robin into looking like something
completely different doesn't seem to be an issue of concern.

Any thoughts or ideas?

Richard Rowlett
Bellevue (Eastgate), WA
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